From June 1, 2026, car imports into Russia through EAEU countries will become significantly stricter. If a car is transported to Russia as goods through Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, or Kyrgyzstan, it will no longer be possible to simply load it, process documents on the fly, and calmly cross the border.
Before entering the country, the importer must notify the FNS in advance about the shipment, make a security payment for taxes, and obtain a QR code. This code will become the main digital "pass" for the carrier.
The new system is called SPOT. With its help, the tax authority will see in advance what goods are being brought into Russia, who is importing them, and whether the necessary payments have been made. In other words, the check will begin before crossing the border, not after the car or other goods are already in the country.
To import goods, the importer must first notify the FNS in advance about the shipment using a document on the upcoming delivery (DOPP). As a rule, this is done two days before crossing the border. Then, a security payment in the amount of the estimated VAT and excise duties must be made.
Then the FNS checks and registers the document, reserves the amounts of the security payment, and transmits the information to the FTS. If everything is in order, the applicant is sent a QR code.
The new rules apply not only to cars. The SPOT system extends to various goods imported into Russia by road from EAEU countries.
The office of Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko subsequently clarified that the government decided to establish a transitional period for paying the security payment under the SPOT system. The deferral will be 1 month.
The security payment will need to be made for goods that begin crossing the border from July 1.
